Food and Nutrition Programs

CACFP At Risk After School Meals

To:	Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Sponsors
From:	Kathleen C. Millet, Executive Director Office for Nutrition, Health and Safety Programs
Date:	January 25, 2011

The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (the Act), Public Law 111-296, was signed into law by the President on December 13, 2010. Section 122 of the Act amends Section 17(r) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1766(r)) to extend eligibility for at-risk afterschool meal reimbursements to all States participating in the CACFP. Previously, reimbursement for at-risk afterschool snacks was available in all States; however, only 14 designated States were allowed to reimburse for meals, typically suppers, in afterschool care programs. Effective October 1, 2010, all institutions participating in the at-risk afterschool care component of CACFP are eligible to claim reimbursement at the free rate for up to one snack and one meal served to each eligible participant per day. At-risk afterschool meals and snacks must be served free of charge and are reimbursed at the applicable free rates (7 CFR §226.17a(n)). Regulations and guidance regarding the implementation of an afterschool meal program can be found at www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/care/Afterschool.htm. Because the provision extending eligibility for at-risk afterschool meal reimbursements is retroactive to October 1, 2010, any institution currently participating in the at-risk afterschool care component of CACFP that has documentation to support that it served reimbursable meals to eligible children on or after October 1st may amend their claims to be reimbursed for those meals retroactively. Final amended claims for meals served in October, November, and December 2010 shall be submitted to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (ESE) no later than February 28, 2011. ESE will reimburse these institutions without regard to the required 60-day reimbursement claim deadline through this date. Beginning with the January claim, all reimbursement claims should be submitted according to the regular claiming deadlines. Sponsors interested in receiving reimbursement for these At Risk After School Meals should contact Anne Marie Mc Donald at 781-338-6492 or amcdonald@doe.mass.edu.

Last Updated: January 27, 2011